NFL Upholds JuJu Smith-Schuster’s One-Game Suspension

Update:

The NFL announced Tuesday night that they’ve upheld the one-game suspension for Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Appeals officer James Thrash, jointly appointed by NFL & NFLPA, has upheld 1-game suspension of JuJu Smith-Schuster. Appeal was heard earlier this afternoon.

— Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) December 6, 2017

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The NFL announced Tuesday that Steelers WR Juju Smith-Schuster and Bengals S George Iloka have both been suspended one game for violations of safety-related playing rules.

• According to Adam Schefter, both Smith-Schuster and Iloka are appealing their suspensions.

JuJu Smith-Schuster & George Iloka have each been suspended 1 game for violations of safety-related playing rules. pic.twitter.com/OyDq7Ca4jy

— Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) December 5, 2017

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Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports that the NFL is “strongly weighing” a one-game suspension for Steelers WR Juju Smith-Schuster for the hit he put on Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict during Monday night’s game.

According to Garafolo, those involved in the situation expect that Smith-Schuster will end up being suspended.

Smith-Schuster was blocking for RB Le’Veon Bell when he leveled Burfict. After being evaluated by the Bengals’ medical staff, the decision was made to place Burfict on a backboard and cart him off of the field.

However, Burfict reportedly convinced the medical staff to unbuckle him while in the tunnel and he walked to the locker room.

Last night’s game featured a number of scary hits and this could be the NFL trying to be proactive about preventing more of this in the coming weeks.

On Monday, Steelers HC Mike Tomlin told reporters that he thought Smith-Schuster’s decision to stand over Burfict and taunt him after the hit “more disturbing” than the actual hit itself, per Aditi Kinkhabwala.

We’ll have more regarding a possible suspension for Smith-Schuster as the news is available.